As I bravely ventured out of my hotel in Tromso, Norway, without my thermals, I was confronted with a stunning sight.
For the first time in two months, there were blue skies at 9am, and the possibility of sunshine in the shortest of days, in the higher reaches of Scandinavia.
A brisk walk in the minus temperatures had to be attempted, and I was glad I was so bold, as there at the harbour, was a cruiseboat heading out whale watching.
I asked the captain what time he was leaving, he looked back: '9'o'clock.'
But it was five past, I responded, and he said that they were still waiting for more passengers to arrive, so I dashed back into my hotel, got well wrapped up, and off I went on my way on an adventure I will never forget.
I darted in and out of the hotel room (about as quick as Superman changing in a telephone box!) and came out sporting my Arctic winter jacket which could cope with -30!
As the 'Aurora Explorer' boat manoeuvred out of port, the ice cool fjords stood out in the beautiful orange and yellow hues of sunrise... but the golden globe was yet to appear until around 10.30am.
And when it did, it was a cause for celebration in Tromso - it was the first time in two months that the sun had risen high enough in the horizon for it to light up the sky.
All the bakeries are busy in the bustling Norwegian port as suncakes are made to celebrate the magical sight, and it was truly memorable to see our nearest star peek out of the jagged wintry landscape. The young Norwegian staff on the ship were high-fiving each other, and there were whoops of joy.
But the whoops weren't for the sunshine, that was for the first appearance of a humpback whale as it arched out of the beautiful blue sea. As we headed to an area known as Whale Island, we were mesmerised with the most amazing sight as the beautiful creatures, longer in size as a double decker bus, came close by as they threaded their way through the waves, with a puff of steamy air rising upwards, as they let out their breath. Suddenly we witnessed dozens of them, and to see them in their natural habitat was spectacular.
Killer whales were next up - the outstanding black and white Orca - as the cruiser sped on to a number of different locations before stopping and allowing the boat passengers ample chance to click away with their cameras.
The highlight was watching the Orca for the last time - and there were scores of them - as sunset at 1.30pm. Three tails came up in unison as the Orca gave us one final memorable goodbye, right on cue, for a wondrous sight. "There is your 64,000 dollar shot right there," said one of the English tourists next to me.
It was difficult to disagree.

 

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